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What To Do With 36 Hours In Panajachel, Guatemala…

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Panajachel, Guatemala

It’s already been said that Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Three stately volcanoes stand as sentinels on her shores. Opposite these majestic watchman, nestled in the valley of two towering peaks, is the vibrant, urban area of Panajachel.

Panajachel has been my home for the past year, a destination my husband and I planned to visit only shortly along our Alaska to Argentina road trip, but she seduced us with her charms, and we’re still here 12 months later.

But Pana (as it’s called by the foreigners) isn’t for everyone…

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How ReefCI is Changing Belize Diving…

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ReefCI Group

Love scuba diving?

Then, you’ve probably heard Belize is the premiere dive destination in The Americas.

But here’s something you might not know…

ReefCI is blazing the trail for marine conservation in Belize while offering world-class scuba diving.

Polly Alford - ReefCI Founder and PADI Open Water Instructor – says “Both Scientists and non-scientists are now recognizing the importance of eco-tourism. And the importance the non-scientist can have by collecting simple data for scientific input!”

So if you want to make a difference while scuba diving, read what Polly and her team are doing for conservation and eco-tourism in Belize…

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Jamie Quirk on Living Abroad…

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Jamie Quirk

Ever consider living abroad? 

If so, you’re not alone…

According to the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, there are 6.3 million non-military U.S. citizens living abroad.

And my good friend is one of them…

Jamie Quirk has been living abroad in the coastal town of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua since 2010.  But don’t expect another bitter hippy, escaping U.S. life to become a permanent beach bum sipping beer all day long.

Nope.

Jamie strives to make a difference in the lives of all around her by volunteering and teaching yoga.

But don’t take my word for it…

Jamie shares her experiences and why “living in Nicaragua has completely changed [her] life for the better!” in this exclusive interview…

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Mayan Ruins; Caracol, Belize

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Caracol, Belize

Caracol is Belize’s largest and most impressive Mayan site. It’s so big that – during its peak – the ancient city was larger and housed more than twice the current population of modern-day Belize.

It was that big.

And unlike other ruins (most notably Altun Ha) Caracol is mostly left in its original state. As you approach this tangled mass of rock and jungle, you can’t help but feel you’re staring history right in the face.

And perhaps you are.  There are several stone statues facing you as you approach the ruins.

In total, Caracol contains 250 tombs, 53 stone monuments and several reservoirs. But perhaps its most impressive feature is Canaa (“Sky Place”) which looms over the ruins and surrounding jungle. The views from here are staggering.Continue

Surf Jaco Beach; Costa Rica

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Jaco Beach; Costa Rica

What was once a sleepy resort area, is now a growing tourist destination for surfers, beach bums and party animals looking for a good time on a budget.

Jaco is a 2 mile (3km) stretch of sand beach with clean water, nice waves, and is the perfect place to hang out or learn to surf.

While not at the beach, where’s plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops, and other attractions to keep busy. Continue

World Class Lake; Lago de Atitlán, Guatemala

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Lago de Atitlán, Guatemala

Do you know Alodous Huxley?

The guy who wrote Brave New World?

Anyways… Huxley worked with words, but he also traveled extensively (and published several fine travel books, including Along The Road: Notes and Essays of a Tourist) and… he said that Lago de Atitlán was… without a doubt… the “most beautiful lake in the world.”

A bold statement, indeed. But once you set eyes on this, it’s hard to deny Lago de Atitlán’s appeal… Continue

Knock on Devil’s Door; Puerta del Diablo, El Salvador

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Puerta del Diablo, El Salvador

The dark past of Puerta Del Diablo doesn’t stop the tourists calling.

Located in Los Planes De Renderos, Puerto Del Diablo, better known as the Devil’s Door, comprises two striking boulders that reach for the sky. Take a peek between them and you’ll see that they serve as a window to the sights of El Salvador, the panoramas sprawling out to the Pacific coast and beyond.Continue

Volcano Hiking; Volcán de Pacaya, Guatemala

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Volcan Pacaya

Located 28 miles (45km) southwest of Guatemala City, Volcán de Pacaya is a highly active volcano. Standing at an impressive height of 8,372  feet (2252 m), Volcán de Pacaya frequently spews molten lava, rock and ash into the sky. It’s without a doubt one of the most active (and therefore exhilarating) volcanoes in all of Central America. The best time to view the volcano is at night, when bright orange lava lights up against the night sky.

Volcán de Pacaya first erupted over 23,000 years ago, and has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish colonized Guatemala. It remained dormant for over a century, then erupted unexpectedly in 1965. It continues to this day. Continue

Beach, Jungle Trekking; Corcovado, Costa Rica

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Corcovado, Costa Rica 2

Consider yourself warned: if you’re looking for an “accessible” jungle tour, then keep looking.

Corcovado National Park – located on the Osa peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica – is neither easy to get to or around.

But as visitors soon realize, this inaccessibility rewards those willing to jump off the Gringo Trail and enjoy several days adventuring through this largely undeveloped land.

For many, Corcovado represents what Costa Rica was a decade ago: quiet, charming and intriguing (if not overly inviting).

There are four entrances to the park, all of which are accessible by 4X4. Keep in mind that – once you arrive at the park entrance – your only choice is to hike.

For this reason, weather plays a major role in multi-day treks. Extreme heat, humidity and frequent rainstorms make for difficult (but highly rewarding) trekking.

Hate hiking in mud?

Then consider hiking the coastline instead. Just be sure to check the tides, as they rise quickly and make both beaches and adjoining rivers impassable.

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Watersports; Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

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Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Sure, it’s in Costa Rica, but Puerto Viejo is… well… different.

Located along the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo is a larger, more popular version of Cahuita, with a growing infrastructure built up by backpackers – in search of Playa Cocles’ beach and Rasta vibe – and surfers hellbent on riding the infamous Salsa Braza waves.

In other words:  there’s a lot to do.

Surf… sand… parties… rainforest tours, and much, much more make Puerto Viejo an excellent place to drop your bags, hit the beach and soak up its atmosphere. Continue

Sail Bocas del Toro, Panama

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Sail Bocas del Toro, Panama

It’s obvious why Bocas del Toro has been popular amongst travelers for some time now.

Beautiful beaches, remote islands, lush jungles, and mangroves that line the tropical turquoise waters make it a complete Caribbean paradise.

While many of the island activities such as snorkeling, swimming, and visiting remote islands can be done on your own…

another great option is to join a sailing tour…Continue

Carnaval; La Ceiba, Honduras

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Carnaval; La Ceiba, Honduras

We’ve all heard of the most wild party on the planet, Carnaval.  But did you know there are other Carnaval festivals outside of Brazil?  Every May, for two weeks straight the town of La Cieba transforms into the largest party event in Central America.  Streets, bars and discos are filled to the brim with eager locals and tourists alike waiting to pay tribute to the Patron Saint, Isidore the Laborer in a fun and vibrate parade and party.

About La Ceiba

Despite the fact that La Ceiba is a the fourth largest city in Honduras, is has managed to maintain a small town feel typical of any Caribbean town.  In 1877, La Ceiba was declared a town after quickly gaining recognition as a port town for exporting bananas.

Today the town is known as an eco-tourist destination for the surrounding jungles, mountains, rivers, and beaches.  Look one direction and you’ll see warm turquoise waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving.  Look another direction and you’ll see the 7,988 foot (2,435 m) peak of Pico Bonito National Park with lush green rainforest, waterfalls and breathtaking landscapes.

The Cangrejal River is great for whitewater rafting, kayaking and and canoeing.

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Boat Routes, Rock and Reggae; Livingston, Guatemala

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Livingston, Guatemala 2

Livingston is unique. It blends an interesting mix of traditional Guatemalan and Caribbean cultures – from food to music, language to skin color – in such a way as to draw an equally varied collection of visitors to this small but boisterous village.

Backpackers flock here for cheap living, reggae and generally laid back atmosphere. More adventurous types use Livingston as a jumping off point for exploring the Rio Dulce, an 18 mile (30 km) river journey through 300 foot (100 meter) rock pillars overgrown with local vines and vegetation. Regardless of your intentions, both Livingston and the Rio Dulce are worth it.

Let’s look at both, shall we?

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Parque Nacional Jeanette Kawas, Honduras

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Parque Nacional Jeanette Kawas, Honduras

One of Honduras’ largest protected lands(spanning over 484-sq.miles/782-sq.km), Jeanette Kawas National Park is also one of its best places for wildlife viewing.

What kinds?

Manatees, dolphins, caimans (crocodiles), turtles, howler monkeys and a host of migratory birds await.

The park recently underwent a name change. Formerly known as Parque Nacional Punta Sal (named after its largest island, Punta Sal), it was renamed in honor of Jeanette Kawas Fernández, an activist who was killed after opening the park against local business interests.

Now the park – which is located near Honduras’ northeastern coast – enjoys all of Kawas’ hard work.

It’s home to fourteen separate ecosystems, including wetlands, lagoons, rainforest, cloud forest, mangroves and coastal inlets.

Plus, you can visit the largest Honuras’ largest coral reef, and one of the best preserved mangrove forests in all of Central America.

And the wildlife?

Incredible.

There are roughly 900 different species of plants, animals, insects and mollusks found throughout the park, including endangered marine turtles and dolphins. Continue

Canopy Tours; Monteverde, Costa Rica

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Canopy Tour; Monteverde, Costa Rica

When visiting Costa Rica, certain images come to mind: thick, verdant forests, jungle canopies bathed in green, colorful quetzals with giant tails and hundreds of animal species lurking just beyond sight.

These images come to life in Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde.

And these real-life images – coupled with one of Costa Rica’s most impressive cloud forests off in the distance – make Monteverde a true must-see in Central America.

But don’t take our word for it.

Newsweek magazine included Monteverde on their list of 100 Places to Remember Before They Disappear, while National Geographic called it the “jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves.”

Indeed.

Its name translates to “Green Mountain”, a fitting name thanks largely to the omnipresent clouds produced when warm coastal breezes cool inland. All this moisture provides explosive growth to over 2,500 species of plants and animals within the park, including jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, over 400 species of bird and hundreds of orchid species.

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Shopping Mercado Guamilito, Honduras

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Mercado Guamilito, Honduras

Mercado Guamilito is without a doubt the best place for shopping in San Pedro Sula  (if not all of Honduras).  With over 800,000 residents in this industrial city, you can expect all sorts of items – including textiles, jewelry and leather – at rock-bottom prices.

But handicrafts are its specialty…Continue

Natural Pool Staircase; Semuc Champey, Guatemala

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Semuc Champey, Guatemala

It’s hard to debate a travel destination when a close friend states it’s “THE most beautiful place I’ve been.”  And that’s exactly what people are saying about Semuc Champey.  Only recently were these stunning turquoise pools of Semuc Champey discovered in an isolated jungle in Guatemala.  They are the epitome of what every off-the-beaten-path traveler dreams about.  The pools of Semuc Champey are a must see for anyone traveling to Guatemala.Continue

Explore Mayan Copán Ruins; Copán, Honduras

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Copán, Honduras

The ancient city of Copán – located in western Honduras – was once a thriving and influential part of the Mayan Empire.

But for six hundred years… this incredible civilization went completely unnoticed.

Brief History of Copán

Evidence shows Copán was inhabited as far back as 2000 BC., though their greatest advancements were under Mayan influence, between 300 – 900 AD.

Math, science and architecture flourished.

The city grew until the late ninth century… and then… as was the case with many Mayan cities… it was completely abandoned.

No formal record of Copán existed for six hundred years. Then Don Diego García de Palacios, an explorer and member of the Royal Audience of Guatemala, stumbled upon the ruins of Copán in 1576. He wrote a letter to King Phillip II of Spain describing what he saw, which by all accounts was the first ever documentation of Copán.

But even with this landmark discovery, Copán remained in obscurity until 1839 when John Lloyd Stevens wrote extensively about the area. Since then, Copán has been well researched by numerous archaeological excavations.

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Colonial Granada, Nicaragua

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Granada, Nicaragua

Granada – Nicaragua’s former capital – is one of the most attractive cities in Central America. It greets visitors with open arms, sweeping town squares, colonial architecture and beguiling street cafes which serve up mojitos and Tona beer to help you keep cool.

Yes, Granada is attractive. Beautiful, in fact.

But like the best-looking girl in high school, its looks begin to wear off after awhile. Sure, there are several nice walks, impressive views of Volcán Mombacho (on clear days) and oh-so-charming carriage rides around the historic center.

After a few days, though, most visitors are ready to move on.

Located just 31 miles (51km) south of Managua – Nicaragua’s current capital – Granada is an ideal jumping off point to Ometepe, a collection of two volcanoes inside Lake Nicaragua. The lake is within walking distance of downtown.

The following is a list of things to do during your few days here. Three to four days should be sufficient.

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The Power of the Panama Canal; Panama

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Panama Canal; Panama

Known as the “Eight Wonder of the World,” no trip to Panama is complete without seeing one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century – the Panama Canal.

The construction of the 50 miles (80km) long canal cost the lives of thousands of Americans, French, and Panamanians in an effort to connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, drastically changing the world we know today.

The Panama Canal can be experienced at the Miraflores Visitor Center or on a vessel cruise through the canal.Continue

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